Women’s participation in peacebuilding in Africa

Abstract

The unanimous adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in October 2000 brought about international, regional and national recognition of the significant roles played by women with regards to issues of security, war, conflict prevention, resolution, management and reconstruction. Women peace activists are also faced with challenges at different levels from the international community, the national political settings and the highly patriarchal nature of society. The international community affirmed and recognised the significance of women’s participation in issues of security, war, conflict prevention and resolution, management, reconstruction and in creating the conditions for peace on 31 October 2000 through the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 is geared towards achieving an integrated, people-centred, united, peaceful, and prosperous Africa. African women teach their children the ethics of society and appropriate behaviour, and impress on their children the significance of values such as honesty, uprightness and the necessity to compromise.